€300k Medical Negligence for Family of Woman who died aged 52

€300,000 medical negligence compensation has been awarded to the family of the woman who died due to sepsis after contracting a rare infection in the aftermath of a hernia operation. The High Court approved the award which came in tandem with an apology for the failures in the care for a 52-year old mother.

Ms Susan McGee, a mother of two children, passed away at the Hermitage Clinic in Dublin on July 24, 2013 just over ten days after undergoing a hernia operation. Following the operation Ms McGee contracted a rare Clostridium Difficile infection in her bowel. A verdict of medical misadventure was the conclusion delivered at the inquest into Susan’s untimely death.

Melissa Barry, daughter of the deceased, told the High Court saying that her mother’s death resulted in a lot of trauma for her family. She stated: “Our mother is missed every day by her entire family and a large circle of friends. We owed it to our amazing mam to seek answers and justice. We hope she can now rest in peace while we can rebuild the rest of our lives.”

Ms Barry added: “The Hermitage Medical Clinic has reassured us new procedures are in place for the handover of patients and we hope lessons have been learned. Patients need to be assured that details of their medical condition and care plan are properly communicated if they are being put in to the hands of a different medical professional. Hospital staff must also listen to and act on the concerns of a patient’s family.”

Melissa Barry of Grange Rise, Stamullen, Co Meath and her brother John McGee , Bretton Woods, Skerries Road, Rush , Co Dublin submitted the medical negligence compensation action against the Hermitage and consultant surgeons Arnold Hill and Colm Power in relation to the manner of the treatment provided to their mother in 2013.

The defendants admitted liability, the High Court was informed. Ms McGee suffered complications following hernia surgery in July 2013. Her usual surgeon was not in the clinic due to annual leave when she (Ms McGee) went back to the clinic after becoming ill. The High Court was told that a different doctor was not available to treat her as he was not on site at the time. Following, and despite, the best efforts of the surgeons that were present Ms McGee passed away on 22 July 2013.

As he approved the hospital negligence compensation settlement, Justice Mr Justice Robert Eagar, expressed his condolences to the woman’s family.